Anita Revel, Celebrant: Helping couples achieve their ceremony goals since 2008
Did you know I’ve been helping couples achieve their ceremony goals since 2008? And that I’ve keeping a diary of all my weddings? Given that my 10-year anniversary snuck up on me in September 2018, that’s a lot of diary entries! Here is the next chapter in my Celebrant Memoirs — that of my 2018-19 season which kicked off with four weddings on August 4… I launched into wedding season 2018-19 starting with the Quickie Wedding Day on 4 August. It was a sun-showery day, with patches of sunshine happening just in time for each of the four ceremonies scheduled that day…
- Justin & Joanne: They decided on a special lunch at a local brewery to celebrate their nuptials, so chose to get married at 11am. This gave them time for photos before heading off to enjoy their first meal as husband and wife.
2. David & Michelle: David and Michelle chose the Quickie Wedding Day because they aren’t into big public displays or being the centre of attention. Getting married in a simple ceremony without any fuss was perfect for them. What made this ceremony extra special was that my son and his wife acted as witnesses. When the bride got teary during her vows (triggering me off!) I had to laugh when I turned around to see both the witnesses crying too! There are some major ceremony goals kicked right there!
3. Alit & Tammy: Their little bubba almost stole the show with his dancing and tumbling, but he pulled it together in time for the couple to exchange vows and rings. The couple had their closest family members present to help them celebrate their transition into married life.
4. Grant & Laura: The most incredible double rainbow appeared as the ceremony backdrop across Bunker Bay. What a wonderful, lucky sign for their union! It was the cutest moment ever when their youngest boy had to cover his eyes when the couple had their first kiss <3 
5. David & Bee: The ceremony included a Baci element as a nod to the bride’s Lao heritage. It was super special — Lao people believe that a human being is a union of 32 organs, each with a spirit to protect them. These spirits can wander outside the body causing unbalance, and which can lead to illness. The tying of the white string represents tying of the 32 spirits to the body putting them back in harmony as well as bringing good luck and prosperity. In recognition of this Lao wedding tradition, the groom set up the centre of the table with a basket filled with eggs, fruit and flowers to symbolise fertility and good luck. He then tied enough white string so each person could hold a cord and add their energy. Then, when it was time to exchange vows, I invited the guests to form a circle around the couple, and hold the cotton strings. This let them add their energy and blessings to the ceremony, as well as align the spirits, bring harmony to the couple, and strengthen the community at large. Standing inside that circle (alongside all the guests) was pure magic — there was definitely some intensely good energy being charged into the ceremony right there!
6. Steven & Brandee: Keeping it simple, the couple and their small guest list wandered into the Boranup forest and exchanged their promises in a patch of sunlight streaming through the trees.
7. Daniel & Ellen: I may as well take up residence at the Boranup Forest — the third wedding in a row that we’ve taken a small group into the trees to conduct the nuptials under the huge canopy. The bride wore a mini dress and Doc Martin style boots, and couldn’t help but hug the trees (and her groom) on the way. A true child of nature.
8. Matthew & Kira: The bride hiked through the Boranup forest and up a cliff in a full gown and trail. They married next to a cave, overlooking the forest canopy below. It was small, simple, and stunning — even they’re youngster hopping from rock to rock and under her dress, added to the magic.
9. David & Lucy: What an elegant, classical and utterly romantic ceremony conducted amongst the blossoms at Margaret River’s Secret Garden.
10. Anthony & Justine: A pair of runaways, I’d arranged with the manager of their hotel to act as witnesses. Unfortunately, one of them was a no-show. So I called one of my Celebrant colleagues, Donna McClelland, who came running to the rescue. Literally. She dropped everything and came running! I am so so so grateful to have a great group of South West Celebrants that have each other’s backs. We really make a great team! Anyway, during the ceremony, while the bride was reading a heart-felt letter to her groom, a kookaburra flew between the couple — almost hitting their faces with its wings! Later, I looked up the symbolic meaning of kookaburra and found:
“Kookaburra has a very powerful healing energy, and its presence in a reading or in your life can indicate a time when profound healing is occurring. This healing is not just happening to you, but to people around you, and creates a more healthful ripple effect that creates positive changes to come. Kookaburra can indicate that the querent has reached the end of a difficult journey, and new healthful growth has already begun.” (Source)
When I told the bride, she admitted the meaning did resonate with them, on lots of different levels, both on past and present life journeys. How wonderful is that?!
11. Dean & Simon: I travelled to a farm in Collie to marry this pair, who were clearly surrounded by amazing friends and family — they were enthusiastic and open-hearted throughout the ceremony, making it an absolute joy to present.
12. Clint & Chloe: At 8am one Saturday morning, a small gathering walked into the Boranup Forest and held a ceremony under the morning light streaming through the trees. It was sooo romantic and beautiful I could have swooned! Certainly made up for the early morning alarm going off! LOL (photo by All Walks Wedding Photography)
13. Kevin & Trudy: The couple’s bond deepened through a shared passion for volunteer fire-fighting, so Trudy arrived in the fire truck with lights and sirens blazing. It was a spectacular entrance to say the least! 😍
14. Ben & Tiarn: I’ve never seen so many local faces amongst the guests as I did at this wedding. It was a huge honour to present a ceremony for a local family, and in front of many Cowaramup community members. It was lovely to see a story about them in the local paper too — for some reason weddings don’t seem to make the paper any more?!
15. Cam & Aishah: We jokingly called this “Cam’s wedding”, given that the entire theme was based on the colour of Cam’s tie and pinterest board.
16. Tylah & Bree: As a nod to the groom’s Polish heritage, the couple included a Polish wedding game in their ceremony. They were presented with two glasses — one containing water, and the other, vodka. Whoever gets the vodka is said to be the one who will wear the pants in the relationship as husband and wife. When Bree finished her shot, she exclaimed “Bugger!” Yep, she got the water 🤣🤣 Check out the photo on my Instagram page –> 
17. Nigel & Julie Ann: I have to admit to getting a little starstruck when meeting this couple for their legals — I’d known them for quite a while via the art scene, and have huge love for his work as an artist. But I got over that pretty quickly, as I got to know them better over the kitchen table and a cup of tea (rather than the usual socialising at an exhibition opening). Julie Ann wore an incredible vintage dress she’d found in Margaret River, which had all the guests saying “wow!” Their adorable grandson stole the show, weaving in and out of their legs and asking to be picked up smack-bang in the middle of their vows. I’m giggling again just writing about it — he really lightened up an emotional moment!
18. Nicholas & Rebekah: A small group gathered at the whale lookout at Point Picquet. Normally people go out of their way to show respect and joy towards a wedding party, but this time, there was one serious cranky-pants there who insisted on photo-bombing ALL of the couple’s ceremony shots. Luckily, the couple’s beaming smiles were no match for him in the end, and thankfully he eventually slunk away.
19. Edward & Amy: This was an emotionally intense ceremony, with the bride’s mother (gravely ill) watching via Skype from her hospital bed. We were able to keep it light-hearted, per the couple’s wishes, to ensure they have enduring happy memories of their beautiful day.
20. Garrick & Emma: This was the first serious relationship for both of them. They’d never pursued anything that wasn’t right, because they couldn’t see the point of being with someone unless it would be forever. Nawwww
21. Brenton & Eloise: When Brenton walked around the corner one day, he spotted Ellie waiting to board the boat, and he had that *knowing* that this was the person he was destined to meet. The couple, having met on the water, and having a strong affinity to the ocean, chose to take their first steps together as husband and wife, in the water. After being pronounced married, they immediately stepped into the waves, held hands, and smiled.
Like love, water literally and metaphorically cleanses and soothes, it flows incessantly (sometimes calmly, sometimes wildly), and it allows life to continue and flourish.
22. Cameron & Shannon: These two young ‘uns married under the arbor at Credaro Wines (in fact, it’s their photo on Credaro’s website!) When I asked the parents if they gave their official blessings to the union, one keen parent yelled “Sh*t yeah!” Can’t get much more enthusiastic approval than that!!
23. Ross & Brett: Every single one of Ross’ emails were signed off with “Ross from sunny Broome”, so when I finally got to meet them of course I could only see sunbeams and happy shiny people! <3
24. Tom & Alyce: One of the biggest bridal parties this year, we were a bit tight for space on the deck at the Caves Road Collective. Often large bridal parties can be a headache for the couple, but this crew were 100% awesome. There was a large guest list also, who all laughed in the right places, cried on cue, and all-in-all made the ceremony a beautiful experience to present.
25. Colleen & Michael: It was a stinking hot day, but the couple managed to stay cool, calm and collected as they exchanged their I Do’s in front of the old door at Solitaire Homestead.
26. Tyson & Elli: Such a beautiful, intimate and special ceremony in the forest on the family farm. And I knew so many people amongst the guests I ended up hanging around afterwards, way longer than usual. Elli works in the wedding industry, so there were other industry people there too, and even a couple that I’d married a few years earlier.
27. Susan & Susan: These two. Oh my heart. They organised their wedding while travelling across the Nullabor, and arrived in Margaret River in time for a New Years Eve wedding. They hired the Kape Kombi for the day, and had an all-day elopement experience. I came along for the ride for the first part of their day and loved every minute of it… They married with their feet in the Indian Ocean, sipped sparkling wine in the vines at Stormflower Wines, stopped at my “Cowara Dreaming” mural in Cowaramup for a photo, and then we parted ways as they headed to Leeuwin Estate for their degustation lunch. The smiles never left our faces. (It was this amazing day out that inspired the Full Day Elopement Experience packages that I subsequently put together!)
28. Dean & Rachel: Just eight guests and a very excited puppy dog gathered under a tree at Silversprings Cottages to witness this couple enter into married life. The puppy was so excited to see his “mummy” come around the corner he nearly bowled her over! She managed to calm him down enough to at least walk down the aisle without tripping over him, but it was a mission!
29. Koby & Chris: When Chris proposed to Koby, she wasted no time in getting that ring on her finger. They popped down to Margaret River the following weekend and committed themselves to each other under an installation artwork in the Margaret River Organic Garden. Four weeks later, once the required “calendar month” notice was complete, I ducked up to Perth and married them officially in front of the rose bushes in a park in Subiaco. Both mothers were present for this ceremony, and neither could be more delighted.
30. Jemma & Jahmal: Jemma’s dad was an absolute champion hiking down a secret beach location with a moon boot. The guests, of all ages, were ultra chilled during the ceremony, standing in the water, leaning on the rocks, sitting on the sand, roughly in a circle around the couple.
31. Ben & Chrisanthi: Purple doc martin boots?! If you’re going to elope, why not go ahead and break all the rules?! You go girl!
32. Craig & Janelle: You want me to travel to Esperance to conduct your wedding ceremony? Yes please! I turned my trip to Esperance into a family holiday, and wowwee what a stunning place it is! An eyegasm around every corner — especially along the Cape le Grande area.
33. Michael & Megan: And while I’m on the road, why not pop over to Donnelly River to conduct a wedding in the forest? What a lovely road trip that is! Turns out it was a destination wedding for both sides of the family, so it was an extra special gathering for all concerned.
34. Jodi & Tony: Very stylish elopers in the forest at Margaret River Heartland, framed by the historic trees and lit up by a single ray of sunshine streaming through the tree tops. Jodi said she’d found me on instagram, and being in the fashion business, liked my style!
35. Keiran & Laura: Oh wow, the welcome to country that Iszaac Webb from the Undulup Association did was just amazing. He did a smoking, a calling, a rubbing of ochre… and had us all absolutely enhanced. I had goosebumps with the energy of it. He began with:
“Kaya, Nala Maat Kaya Noonduk (Hello, Our Family Welcomes You) to Wadandi Boodja (Saltwater People’s Country).
Given the indigenous heritage of Daniel, I couldn’t have wished for anything more beautiful for this couple.
36. Mark & Nicole: I met Mark and Nicole for the first time just moments before their ceremony. A quick 10-minute get-to-know-you with Mark before everyone arrived — it was enough for me to “get” his vibe so I could deliver the ceremony appropriately, with just the right amount of light-heartedness mixed in.
37. Jason & Melody: When I invited their daughter Wynter to step forward, my goodness, it was like someone had opened the floodgates amongst the guests. She just looked so gorgeous, and confident, and yummmmmmyyyyyyy… letting her know that she was an important member of this new family was a huge emotional trigger for everyone (in a good way). I had to use all the tricks in my book to stop my own tears too!
38. Jeffrey & Karen: They stepped out of their mini as single people, and got back in as married. Their first outing as a married couple? To the Leeuwin Concert of course!
39. Eggert & Diane: Even though I’ve done lots of weddings at the Ramada Resort, this was the first time I’d conducted a ceremony inside the chapel. They wanted something a little traditional, before doing something not-so-traditional — going on a caravan honeymoon!
40. Maddie & Seb: Oh those green eyes! The couple wrote their own vows which they kept secret from each other. I nearly gave the game away when I arrived at the rehearsal and said to Maddie that I wanted to check her green eyes — Seb had written how mesmerised he was with her eyes when he first met her! Ooops. Fortunately, they were so blissy I don’t think either of them noticed. Anyhoo, they did something very different for this ceremony — rather than waiting at the top of the aisle for his bride, the groom walked down the aisle with his Mum, followed by the entire bridal party. The bride came last, presented by her parents to a proud-as-punch Seb. It worked very nicely!
41. Zara & Aaron: A pair of young spunks running away to get married in the private forest at Margaret River Heartland. She totally rocked her bright pink hair, which contrasted beautifully with the green, green forest behind them.
42. Rebecca & Jason: The couple married in the garden of their accommodation, with the guests forming a loose circle formation around them — no chairs or aisles for these two! Just a relaxed immersion in a circle of love.
43. Caitlin & Kye: I got to say “bad-ass” in this ceremony… (The couple told me their story, and that word featured, and they insisted I use it so the guests would know the ceremony has definitely been tailored for them).
44. John & Lisa: I loved what the couple chose to do here — rather than stand up front with 7 groomsmen and 7 bridesmaids, the couple had their attendants take seats in the second row. Lisa had been a bridesmaid a few times, and was finding herself getting annoyed that she couldn’t see what was going on in the ceremony. So, she thought it would be a nicer experience for her bridesmaids to actually be seated, and able to see! It worked really, really well. Despite the hundred+ guests, having just the couple standing together at the top of the aisle created an intimate, romantic and beautiful ambience.
45. Justine & Thomas: We rode quad bikes across her aunty’s farm into the forest for a relaxed, private elopement (with just immediate family as witnesses). Afterwards, the aunty took me for a little tour of the farm. I got a fright when I heard a thunderous noise behind me — turns out it was a flock of sheep running towards us. They’d seen the quad bikes and assumed they were getting fed! (Photo on my Facey page)
46. Kylie & Jimmy: Now this little elopement was beautiful. Kylie has read that my daughter loves volunteering as the flower girl, and asked if she could throw some petals at her ceremony. Of course my daughter was thrilled to be asked, and even brought a friend to share the excitement. At one stage in the ceremony, Phoebe became overwhelmed with the romance of it all, and shocked everyone by randomly PIFFING her petals at the bride. I’m so grateful to attract easy-going couples — as you can see, the bride definitely saw the funny side to my daughter’s enthusiasm! And they both made a special effort to thank her, too! Aren’t they gorgeous?
47. Killian & Bronwyn: You know the saying, never work with children or animals? Well, the couple’s toddler proved why today… Just as the bride started walking down the aisle, the toddler let everyone know he wasn’t having it! The poor little luv was just overwhelmed with all the excitement. So Killian dropped him off with the caterers (where he seemed happy!), while the bride chit-chatted with the guests to await his return. It was then Bronwyn standing at the arbor and Killian walking down the aisle — a serendipitous role reversal.
48. Maddi & Gavan: There was rainbow mermaid hair, tying-the-knot, jumping-the-broom, and overall a whole lotta love and laughter inside the Witchcliffe Hall. I’m glad these two know how to roll with the unexpected, because there was a bit of that — the props had been forgotten, so we made do with the ribbon from her sister’s flowers, and the old broom that belongs with the hall.
49. Lucinda & Kenneth: Another destination wedding, at the little Chapel of the Flowers. They agreed this was the perfect venue for them — it ticked his “spiritual” boxes and also her “not-spiritual” ones!
50. Craig & Helen: The lowest-key elopement you will ever hear about. They married in front of their kitchen bench while being witnessed by two neighbours from down their street. No plans for dinner or celebration — just keeping it simple, and real.
51. Christine & Zane: Is there such a thing as a destination elopement? Well, I’m calling it — yes there is. This pair road-tripped across Australia from FNQ to marry in the Western Australian bush. Clearly they have good taste.
Aaaaaand with that, it’s a wrap for my 2018-19 season. It’s not much of a break as I have a sprinkling of winter weddings coming up, followed by next season’s launch in September.
See you then, lovers! Au revoir, and shine on beautiful people,
Anita Revel